BILL NUMBER: S6999
SPONSOR: STAVISKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "Super-
vising Upcoming Professionals for Practice in Official Roles in Therapy
(SUPPORT) act"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To allow students working to obtain their license of clinical social
work (LCSW) to be supervised by any licensed mental health practitioner
authorized to formally diagnose patients and create assesement-based
treatment plans
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill clarifies that this act shall be known and may be
cited as the "Supervising Upcoming Professionals for Practice in Offi-
cial Roles in Therapy (SUPPORT) act".
Section 2 of the bill amends paragraph (c) of subdivision 2 of section
7704 of the education law to allow working to obtain their license of
clinical social work (LCSW) to be supervised by any licensed mental
health practitioner who has obtained diagnostic privilege.
Section 3 of the bill provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, the only way for an individual with a Master of Social Work
(MSW) to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW) is to gain
supervised experience under a psychiatrist, psychologist, or another
LCSW. However, in June 2024, New York Education Law was updated to allow
qualified mental health practitioners to apply for a diagnostic privi-
lege. With this privilege, mental health practitioners have the commen-
surate experience to properly supervise individuals seeking their
certification to become an LCSW. In a time when New York is undergoing a
mental health crisis, it is imperative that the state provides more
pathways towards certification without removing the standards that make
the profession what it is.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6999: 7704 education law, 7704(2) education law